~ A Living History Organization

Das Eßbesteck or Spork

Each German soldier was issued the Spork or Das Eßbesteck was eating ware and they came in two sizes. The larger size was issued to the infantry, artillery, and subsidiary arms while the smaller size was issued to the cavalry. What is interesting is that the smaller size will not fit into the Kochgeschirr so it is presumed that it was probably carried in the bread bag or perhaps the pommel bags. Below are illustrations of both:

Infantry and cavalry pattern Sporks in closed position.

Infantry and cavalry pattern Sporks in open position. There is not much of a size difference

Line diagram of the Spork, courtesy of Randall Chapman.

Like a lot of specialized equipment, as the war went on production was standardized and the cavalry were also issued the large size along with everyone else.